PGT Summer Theatre

Teen Conservatory

Our oldest students, ages 13-17, will find each day filled with new challenges. From creating and performing in the new PGT Summer  Improv Troupe, to assistant teaching in our younger classes, several new elements of the PGT Summer experience have been created for this program.

Each day, students will take a two hour intensive class in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance or Improv, as well as a one hour elective class of their choosing. Electives will include Audition Skills, Directing, On Camera, Stage Craft, Yoga and more.

In addition, three hours will be dedicated to rehearsal. All students in the Teen Conservatory will be cast in an ensemble based musical, which will allow each actor to be an integral part of the cast. Shows are selected for their age appropriateness, including subject matter, music and text, which inspire both the actors and the artistic staff.

Throughout this intense, yet non-competitive process, an atmosphere of respect, support and kindness is maintained in all classes,      rehearsals and performances, allowing friendships to flourish and artistic abilities to be nurtured.

The Conservatory is an advanced program. Students should be prepared to tackle difficult material and to move quickly through that    material. They will be challenged to work at a professional level, taking advantage of this new intense program to grow and reach their individual and collective artistic potential. Acceptance into the Teen Conservatory will be based on the audition, and will be determined by artistic merit as well as a strong commitment to the learning process.

Three Week Ensemble

Now with two sessions to choose from - July and August! In three weeks, these students, ages 8-17, get a glimpse of the entire creative process. Students in the three week program have the   opportunity of taking an active role in writing and creating their own show. The final result is a performance of poetry, music, monologues and scenes, which is infused with the unique energy of the cast.

During their three weeks at PGT Summer Theatre, these students focus on the basics of Acting, Dance and Voice, along with introductory classes in Improvisation, Masks, Monologues, Accents and Dialects, Stage Combat and more. With three classes each day, students are introduced to a variety of disciplines and are given the chance to explore the performing arts within a safe, nurturing, yet artistically       demanding environment.

Actors are encouraged to apply the techniques they are learning in class to the rehearsal process. Three hours each day are spent in  rehearsal. The show is created to suit the ensemble, giving each young actor the opportunity for featured work. These students have the opportunity to work with younger and/or older actors within the same cast, creating a truly unique creative environment. The process is fast, yet detailed, and actors of all ages are challenged to keep up with the pace.

Three week ensemble members take part in all special events and trips scheduled within the first three weeks.

Young Actors’ Ensemble

From “Morning Hello” to theatre games each afternoon, the days are filled with imagination, creativity, nurtured friendships, new challenges, laughter, singing, dancing and so much more.

Students, ages 8-13, participate in three different classes each day. Each class is an opportunity to explore new ideas and foster their growing skills in the performing arts. The students will see a variety of teaching artists each day and throughout the week. Classes will include Acting, Dance, Voice, Stage Combat, Masks, Diction, Improvisation, Accents and Dialects, Monologues, and more.

Three hours every day are dedicated to rehearsal. All students in the Young Actors’ Ensemble will be cast in an ensemble based musical. Each show is cast with many considerations – most importantly, where each student will have the best social and artistic experience. Shows are chosen based on the number of students and their ages, with an eye toward what will both challenge and inspire the artistic abilities of the cast.

This program is a complete immersion into the world of theatre. From wacky activities designed to open up the imagination to advanced acting technique classes, the students are asked to take creative risks, and to support one another through the artistic process. The result is a non-competitive environment, where each student flourishes, both individually and as a  member of the artistic ensemble.

LITTLE THEATRE

Our youngest campers, ages 3-7, enjoy the benefits of being part of the bigger program, while still having their own space and their own program – designed especially for them. Little Theatre joins the rest of the students to start and end each day. In between, they enjoy their own classes in acting, dance and singing. They fully explore opening up their imaginations, performing for their peers, and using their   bodies and voices to give expression to the unique creative spark within each of them.

Puppets, masks, instruments, costumes, props and music are ever present throughout the day, and craft projects are used to further    explore the artistic process. Outdoor creative play is included daily, as is snack and juice, which PGT provides. Little Theatre students get the chance to study with all of the PGT teaching artists throughout the week, while they also benefit from the consistency of one teaching artist who guides them through each day, from “Morning Hello” through all classes and activities, to lunchtime and dismissal.

Little Theatre takes place in two sessions. Different material is covered in each session and we look forward to having many of the same students from session 1 return for session 2. Each session ends with an informal presentation of the students’ work for family, friends and all of the PGT Summer students.

ONE WEEK PROGRAM

IMPROVISATION: Explore the tricks and techniques behind dramatic and comedic Improv. Half the day is spent in acting and improv classes and half is spent developing a workshop to which will culminate in an informal performance on August 5. The week will include a workshop with and performance by Chicago City Limits, a NYC professional improv troupe.